Post by Lexi Ford on Aug 18, 2019 13:41:31 GMT -8
For what felt like the billionth time, Lexi walked into the barrel arena with Nightmare walking slowly behind. She needed to find the old champ in her, the one who won prizes and ribbons in every show she went to. The one who felt so free when riding. It was still hard to accept that maybe she could never jump again. That maybe— nevermind. No use thinking. She’d never be big again — there’s way too many obstacles. Like the family issues. The ones nobody’s gonna know about.
“We’ll do it this time, Nightmare,” said Lexi, “This is the day. This is our big day.”
The big day when they finally learn it. When they finally get it back.
She led Nightmare around the arena once, walking for three sides of the arena and trotting for one side. Then time to mount. Left foot first, swing over, right foot in. A walk. Half of the arena, then time to get into the trot.
She urged Nightmare into a trot, with no success.
“Come on!” she couldn’t speed him up. “Please, buddy.”
Nightmare still refused. A few more minutes of failing attempts and she’d had it. Enough. She dismounted, plugged in her MP3 player, and tried her best not to show her frustration. She led Nightmare around the arena once, feeling the tears rising in her throat.
Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry. Just a few more minutes…
She walked out of the barrel arena. Just a few more minutes…
But all at once the tears came running. Stop!! She wound up sobbing, hugging Nightmare’s neck.
“Oh, buddy, I love you,” she cried, “You’re just not… mine. That’s how it feels, I’m sorry. I’ve failed you.”
Realizing what she’d just said, a fresh stream of tears made their way down her cheeks.
“I shouldn’t be here, Nightmare. I should be home, getting ready for whatever crap school I’m getting sent to.” That’s when it registered.
Her parents weren’t here. Nobody could stop her from jumping. She wouldn’t have a faker for a father here, who told her he’d noticed just how dangerous jumping was. Neither did she have a mother who wanted what she thought was best for her daughter and ignored what her daughter (who knew exactly what she needed) said. She could jump, couldn’t she? The school couldn’t — no, wouldn’t — stop her from getting on that horse, would they?
Her parents weren’t here. Now it’s time for Lexi to pull the biggest fast one she’s ever pulled.
“We’ll do it this time, Nightmare,” said Lexi, “This is the day. This is our big day.”
The big day when they finally learn it. When they finally get it back.
She led Nightmare around the arena once, walking for three sides of the arena and trotting for one side. Then time to mount. Left foot first, swing over, right foot in. A walk. Half of the arena, then time to get into the trot.
She urged Nightmare into a trot, with no success.
“Come on!” she couldn’t speed him up. “Please, buddy.”
Nightmare still refused. A few more minutes of failing attempts and she’d had it. Enough. She dismounted, plugged in her MP3 player, and tried her best not to show her frustration. She led Nightmare around the arena once, feeling the tears rising in her throat.
Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry. Just a few more minutes…
She walked out of the barrel arena. Just a few more minutes…
But all at once the tears came running. Stop!! She wound up sobbing, hugging Nightmare’s neck.
“Oh, buddy, I love you,” she cried, “You’re just not… mine. That’s how it feels, I’m sorry. I’ve failed you.”
Realizing what she’d just said, a fresh stream of tears made their way down her cheeks.
“I shouldn’t be here, Nightmare. I should be home, getting ready for whatever crap school I’m getting sent to.” That’s when it registered.
Her parents weren’t here. Nobody could stop her from jumping. She wouldn’t have a faker for a father here, who told her he’d noticed just how dangerous jumping was. Neither did she have a mother who wanted what she thought was best for her daughter and ignored what her daughter (who knew exactly what she needed) said. She could jump, couldn’t she? The school couldn’t — no, wouldn’t — stop her from getting on that horse, would they?
Her parents weren’t here. Now it’s time for Lexi to pull the biggest fast one she’s ever pulled.
